The Winter of my Discontent

First off, congratulations Red Sox Nation - it's about freaking time.

Anyways, on to my discontent, which is even more legitimate now that the Sawx have won. The Yankees haven't won a World Series since 2000, which isn't a big deal, but since they gave up the biggest comeback in the history of Baseball... I am discontent. In honor of this, I now offer up the ways the Yankees can be back next year.

First - sign Carlos Beltran. He's the real deal, and tied a post-season record for homers when he only played in 2 series. Plus, he has AWESOME defense - I see no better potential CF than Carlos. What about Bernie, you ask? He can platoon in RF with Sheffield, each alternating the field and DH, which will prolong each of their usefulness.

Second - get young pitching. Best options? Eric Milton (former Yankee farmhand) and Carl Pavano (whom I am not totally sold on). Coupled with Vazquez, Mussina and Lieber, this could be a good, younger staff. Trading for one of the Oakland big three is also and option (either Hudson or Zito) as is signing Pedro Martinez. One thing is certain - Kevin Brown should never be allowed to pitch in a Yankee uniform again - I don't care if we have to pay a team to take him, he should be gone.

Third - loose ends. Re-sign Miguel Cairo - he plays solid D and can occasionally spark you with his bat - we cannot sacrifice defense all over the field for more bats. Re-sign Olerud for a year - his leadership skills in the clubhouse cannot be underestimated. Trade Brown, Lofton, and whomever else we need to get a good lefty arm in the bullpen. Don't trade Brad Halsey - we need a lefty starter in the future, and Mussina will not last forever. See if you can move Giambi as well, he never meshed as a Yankee.

So, with all that said, here's my lineup/batting order, opening day 2005:

CF Beltran
SS Jeter
3B A-Rod
RF/DH Sheff
LF Matsui
RF/DH Bernie
C Posada
1B Olerud (or Travis Lee, who missed 2004 with a shoulder injury)
2B Cairo

Pitching staff:

Mussina
Lieber
Vazquez
Pavano
Milton
(Halsey AAA)

El Duque and Sturtze for long relief, plus the rest of the bullpen, and find somewhere to stick Heredia so he cannot screw it up anymore.

That's it for baseball... I'll cover politics later on today.